Speak Easy Doctors

In this episode of Speak Easy Doctors, Dr. D and Dr. J explore “leaked emotions” and micro-expressions—the tiny, often unconscious facial and bodily cues that reveal what we’re really feeling. Drawing on the work of Anna Wierzbicka, Paul Ekman, and Haggard & Isaacs, they discuss whether emotions and expressions are truly universal or shaped by culture, with a few detours into primatology, anthropology, and sociolinguistics. They unpack how sadness and fear often get hidden behind smiles or flat

In this Speak Easy Doctors episode, Dr. D and Dr. J extend their conversations around “love languages” by testing a pop-psych spinoff: the five “anger languages” which include righteousness, indignation, retribution, distraction, and justification. Using personal history and a communication lens, they question whether these are truly “anger” or broader reaction styles triggered by unmet needs. By the end, the hosts agree on a few anchors: anger is complex, often effective in the short term but

In this candid chat, Dr. D and Dr. J revisit Gary Chapman’s five love languages—words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving gifts, quality time, and physical touch—then flip the script to examine the “dark side.” Through personal stories (from grocery runs and mountain getaways to orchids and the Northern Lights), they explore how childhood, culture, religion, and generational norms shape what we crave and how we give love—and how those patterns can become blind spots that fuel

On this episode of Speak Easy Doctors, Dr. D and Dr. J explore how everyday conversations don’t just exchange information, they also shape who we are and the world we live in. Using the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM) as a lens, and drawing on Bakhtin’s idea of the dialogical self, they unpack how “voices” from family, culture, and childhood become the rules we carry into adulthood. From strict upbringings and internalized negativity to clashing conflict styles in marriage, they show how

In this episode, the hosts dive deep into the art and complexity of code switching—the ways people adjust their language, tone, and behavior depending on who they’re speaking to and the setting they’re in. Through personal stories and cultural reflection, they unpack the historical roots of this phenomenon, exploring how identity, generational, and social expectations shape the ways we communicate. Listeners will hear candid insights about the emotional labor behind constant adaptation and the

In this conversation, Dr. D and Dr. J delve into the complexities of identity through the lens of communication theory. They explore personal experiences that shape identity, the influence of cultural and community factors, and the evolution of self-worth over time. The discussion highlights the multifaceted nature of identity, emphasizing how it is personal, enacted, relational, and influenced by societal expectations. Through personal anecdotes, they illustrate the challenges and transformations

Get to know your hosts Dr. D and Dr. J as they talk about their hopes for the show, how they came to be BFFs, and how communication can impact us daily.